The Mermaid in Me

Chapter 7 - I’m a What

Tasha comes crashing into my room after dinner, with bags in her hand. I shout at her. “What is all this?”

“Just a few things I had at home and some other pieces I picked up on my way here.” She says with a huge grin on her face. “I think you could use some new make-up and some outfits to try.”

I start to sweat. I really hope she doesn’t have anything that will show my legs off! I don't need that mess of explaining.

“Okay, let’s see what you brought me. I already know I need serious help. Please don’t have anything that shows off my birthmark.”

Tasha looks at me confused. “What do you mean birthmark?”

Wait...What? She has known me for years this isn’t new, I’m Fish Legs!

“Tasha, you know I have a birthmark, I’ve had it since I was born.”

She seems puzzled. “Is that what your parents tell you? I know we have never talked about this before, I just thought you knew what we are.”

“What do you mean by, what we are, I’m confused.”

She starts in. “I thought your parents told you, we all hide our patches as kids because we don't have tails till our 18th birthday.”

I’m now completely confused. “My parents took me to many doctors, and not one of them knew what I had on my legs. I don't have a tail, I can tell you that!”

“Sandy, I have something to tell you. I’m not sure you are going to understand or even like it. I think your parents might have some more to tell you after our talk.”

I shout at her, “Tasha, spill the beans before I vomit, I’m not sure what's going on!”

“Well... We are mermaids!”

My jaw drops!

“We are born with patches on our skin till we turn 18. On that day it’s custom for us, to pick whether we want to stay on land and be humans, or we choose to be our true, authentic, beautiful tailed selves. If you choose to be a human, you can’t ever go back on it. You will lose your patches and become an ordinary human. My entire family is mermaids! I’ve known since I was a child, which makes me think your parents don’t want you to know. Or something else, I’m afraid to say.”

“Ok, so you are telling me, I am a mermaid. I have to choose if I want to be human or a mermaid. That’s just a little farfetched, Tasha.” I can’t help but laugh at her. She really just told me I am a mermaid. HA!

“You don’t believe me? Look!” She pulls her pants down to her hip and she has the exact same patch as me! I'm in shock at her

“Holy cow! You weren’t lying when you said you had the same markings as me. I always thought you said that to make me feel better about myself.”

She's the one laughing at me now and it's loud.

“Why would I do that? I don’t need anyone exposing us. I was helping you out. I thought you knew and you didn’t want to be a mermaid.”

I exclaim. “I know nothing about any of this, other than what you are telling me now, and it’s September! I only have till July 12th to decide, and I don’t know anything about mermaids.”

I start to go white. “I think I’m going to be sick! I need you to tell me more about mermaids. I’ve only read and watched movies about them.I thought they were in fairytales. I don't even know if that's how they really are. It’s hard for me to take in what you are telling me.”

“I can understand that Sandy, I feel awful having to explain this to you. I’m not sure this is even my place to tell you." She sighs and continues. "I think your parents are the ones that know more. But... I’m going to explain all about your heritage. Because if I know one thing, you need to know you are special, and not in a bad way. Not fish Legs! But a beautiful mermaid with a heart of gold. And then, you can make your choice of what you want for your future, you need to know. I have a much better advantage than you, and I know on June 21st, I’m going to be a true mermaid. I want you to be there to see the magic and the transformation. All the mermaid families get together and have a stunning ceremony at sunset, where we give ourselves to the sea. And in return, we get our tails, the sea, and we get to be on land. It’s the best of both worlds!"

She rolls her eyes and continues. "I can’t say there aren’t rules to it though... We are forbidden to show anyone our true self, and we must never transform into one in front of a human. We aren't allowed to marry them either. We can only transform at sunset, that’s why my family and I go to the ocean every summer to see our friends and family.”

I sit there in shock at everything that I just learned. Mermaid rules? Tails? Keeping sercrets? I can’t believe this has been my legacy the whole time, and I’m just finding out. My whole life has been a lie. My parents have some major explaining to do. This is something you just don’t ignore. I have felt like a monster this whole time, and secretly, I’m a beautiful mermaid that I see in the movies. I even have a choice, a very difficult one to make, in a short amount of time. I have always wanted to be normal but knowing I’m a mermaid, changes everything I ever thought I was and wanted.

I look at Tasha with admiration. “Thank you for explaining this to me. I know it must be confusing for you, as it is for me. I never knew about mermaids, and I feel even more lost.”

“I’m here to help you, I feel awful that you weren’t aware of your past. I still think it’s your parents' fault for not telling you. I know I also sound crazy for explaining mermaids to you.”

I shoot her a look of anger. “I’m going to make sure they tell me everything, but I want to know more. And we still have to talk about Luke and that whole predicament.”

Tasha sharply snaps at me. “He won’t be finding out! I think your birthmark is a good enough rumor, and he doesn’t need to know anymore. You found out a lot tonight and you don’t need any more stress, so just act normal. Let's get you looking the girlfriend part.” I can't agree more with her, I want to look good for my new boyfriend, he might be my only peace at the moment.

She pulls out loads of make-up and tops from the bags. She lays everything out I couldn’t believe my eyes! So many beautiful colors and choices. I can’t help but feel excited. After tonight, I’m a new kind of girl. You can call me a mermaid, I guess!